An exclusive preschool is attempting to reassure parents as a longtime teacher accused of possessing and distributing child pornography is investigated.

In an e-mail to parents distributed Saturday evening and obtained by 9News, Paddington Station leaders said federal prosecutors have informed the school that they do not believe David Moe ever produced child pornography himself.

The 18-year veteran of the elite preschool in Denver's Montclair neighborhood was arrested Tuesday after federal agents searched his home, acting on information gathered in an online sting.

According to an affidavit on file at U.S. District Court in Denver, Moe admitted that he used a computer program and the Internet to "make available, trade, and collect images of child pornography."

"Moe stated that he has lots of sexually explicit images, approximately 10,000, and estimates that 2 percent depict children under the age of 18. Mr. Moe's preference is to look at sexually explicit images depicting females ages four and older," the affidavit said.

The images have been turned over to forensic investigators who are trying to determine if Moe acquired the images from others or if he produced them himself.

The school learned of the charges against Moe on Thursday evening.

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"Please know that our hearts are broken and that we are feeling distraught and hurt," Paddington executive head Pippi Hambidge said in Saturday's e-mail to parents.

The e-mail said Paddington has enlisted local attorneys to review the school's policies.

In addition to the latest charges, Moe was involved in an investigation 10 years ago stemming from an incident in which he was accused of taking a 3-year-old child in his care to the bathroom and inappropriately touching her.

Federal prosecutors said nothing was proved in the incident; however, school administrators are contacting those involved in the incident to learn more.

In the most recent e-mail to parents, Paddington leaders did not elaborate on which law enforcement agencies, if any, were notified 10 years ago.

"To the best of our knowledge, Paddington Station staff handled this appropriately when the alleged incident occurred," the statement read. "We are actively investigating the allegation, and we will provide more information as it becomes available."

The school is encouraging parents to contact school officials and the Denver County Child Abuse hotline — 720-944-3000 — if they have knowledge of inappropriate behavior by Moe.

Moe is on administrative leave from Paddington and is being held in jail in Denver.

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